BAR TECHNOLOGIES VESSEL RUBBER STAMPED BY ABS FOR US OFFSHORE WIND OPERATIONS

  • BAR Technologies seals Approval in Principle (AiP) from ABS for the design of an innovative new 30m CTV
  • This follows AiP for the Chartwell 24 range, paving the way for access to highly efficient, Jones Act compliant vessels in US offshore wind

18th August, 2020 – World leading naval architects, BAR Technologies, and Chartwell Marine, pioneers in next-generation vessel design, have been awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design and construction of the innovative new BAR Tech 30m crew transfer vessel (CTV).

This AiP is a further stepping-stone towards an advanced, class-certified, Jones Act compliant fleet of offshore wind support vessels for the US market. Following on from the AiP awarded to the Chartwell 24 vessel design earlier this year, it expands the range of complementary options available to the industry for highly efficient and capable vessel support.

Vessels servicing the expanding East Coast offshore wind development areas will increasingly need to travel further for longer, while navigating deeper waters and greater wave heights. This must be achieved without compromising on efficiency or environmental standards in accordance with US coastguard guidelines surrounding emissions.

In response to this challenge, BAR Technologies, with the support of Chartwell, have developed a 30m CTV, making use of FOSS technology (foil optimised stability system) to enhance seakeeping and manoeuvrability, while reducing vertical acceleration by up to 70% in 2.5m wave heights. While offering greater levels of availability in rough seas, the BAR 30m CTV also demonstrates up to 50% fuel efficiency savings at 15 knots, keeping emissions at bay in line with stringent EPA Tier 4 guidelines.

This initial vessel will be closely followed by a 50m variant capable of 45 knots top speed and 30 knots in a 3m high sea without exceeding vertical acceleration limits.  The 40 passenger boat with a similar hull form and FOSS technology is focused on the replacement of helicopter transfer for workers in the Gulf of Mexico.

Securing AiP offers the highest level of assurance that these innovative vessel designs will be built in-line with specific US requirements. As part of the AiP process, the vessel designs have met stringent criteria from the ABS Rules for Building and Classing High Speed Craft 2020. This provides validation that they are well-placed to meet the demands and regulatory requirements of US operations.

John Cooper, CEO, BAR Technologies, said: “Approval in Principle for the BAR 30m CTV is an important development that broadens the opportunities for cross-market collaboration. As we work towards the decarbonisation of the workboat sector, this latest innovation represents new gains in efficiency which have been achieved by placing the operational profile at the forefront of vessel design. In this way, we have been able to design a CTV that combines optimal performance in challenging conditions with a significantly reduced environmental impact.”

Andy Page, Naval Architect and Managing Director at Chartwell Marine, said: “This ‘rubber stamp’ from ABS paves the way for these next generation vessels to fully integrate into East Coast operations. The design of these boats has capitalized on operational experience in the global market, refining the formula for offshore wind support through ongoing research and discussion with stakeholders.”